Overview:

Program Goals

The Community Grants Program is a broadly accessible, responsive statewide grants program.
Its long-term goals are to strengthen the social fabric of our communities and improve the lives of all
Oregonians. This program responds to evolving, community-identified needs and builds civic leadership
and engagement.

Guiding Principles

We believe that creative and sustainable solutions come from people who work in partnership to address common needs and aspirations.

We give high priority to investments that create positive, substantive change and attempt to resolve problems at their source.

We recognize and respect Oregon's diverse regions and populations, and we seek to advance equity, diversity and inclusion through our programs

Four Funding Priorities & Objectives for Each

Health & Wellbeing
of Vulnerable
Populations
(30%-40% of grants)

Improve community-based health and wellness, including oral and mental/behavioral health

Address basic human needs, such as food, housing and related services

Improve the quality of life, safety and self-sufficiency of at-risk populations

Educational
Opportunities &
Achievement
(30%-40%)

Promote social, emotional and cognitive development of young
children, including programs that support and educate parents and
efforts that engage volunteers

Expand academic support, mentoring and recreational programs for
children and youth, particularly to close the achievement gap

Broaden workplace, career and postsecondary experiences and
opportunities for youth

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

Must have 501(c)(3) status as a public entity (not a private foundation) or have a qualified fiscal sponsor.

OCF does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or
expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, age, status as a veteran, national origin or any other
protected class.

Applicants for Community Grants must hold similar standards in the provision of
services.

If a project is funded, the grantee may not submit the same project again (unless the project was offered a multi-year opportunity).

Large awards and multi-year awards are offered, but not frequently.

Preferences:

We give high priority to investments that create positive, substantive change and attempt to resolve problems at their source.

Preference is given to nonprofit applicants who have NOT received multiple Community Grants in recent years.

Ineligibility:

If no funding has been secured or no local support is evident, it is almost impossible to be competitive.

The Community Grants Program is not a source of ongoing annual funding for an organization.

Also,
OCF does not support the same project twice.

If you apply and DO NOT receive a grant, you may not apply for another grant until 12 months after your previous application was submitted.

If you apply and DO receive a grant, you may not apply for another grant until 18 months after your
previous application was submitted.

Activities Typically Not Eligible for Community Grant Funding:

Events or performances (either one-time or annual) unless they will result in significant growth in ongoing organizational capacity, financial stability or audience diversity

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Nonprofits and academics are accelerating social progress and innovation. It's time for a lack of funding to stop getting in the way. We built Instrumentl to help you move the world forward, one project at a time.